When your wardrobe audit= life edit

Are you a clutter bug when it comes to clothes? Why do we hold on to *so* much “stuff” when we may have clothes or accessories we’ll never ever wear again? What’s the rationale for keeping it?

The answers given will undoubtedly vary but see if you recognise any of the following:

1. It might come in handy one day
2. I can’t decide what to do with it
3. Holding onto this gives me a sense of security
4. It has nostalgic value
5. I’m keeping this for when my ‘ideal self’ has materialised

The One Year rule

If you haven’t worn it within 12 months, you aren’t going to wear it in the coming year either. The only exception to this is formal wear, which may be worn rarely but is still perfect and costly to replace.

Too great a bargain to give away? Still, the 12 month rule applies.

Clear your space and clear your head. Being able to see clearly what you have will enable you to create lovely combinations from your new capsule wardrobe whose colours will tone and complement one another.

Inertia

Sometimes, contemplating the task of making a decision is just too much. What’s visible on the outside may be suggestive of what’s going on inside.

Is your cluttered closet an outward expression of a cluttered mind; a broken heart; or a painful past or present? If you’re dealing with something personal, then – eventually – the clearing of your environment may help rejuvenate the spirit.

You might be going through a significant transition e.g. weight loss or a change in relationship status. You are? So, wear the clothes that fit and look great now. Don’t keep your best clothes hidden away – wear them and enjoy them – even if you’re the only one who’ll see them. You’re worth it!

Does your ecological conscience prevent you from letting go because it might be ‘wasteful’? Consider ways to share (swish); ebay; donate it; give it away.

Your security blanket

Does your stockpile of stilettos give you a sense of security? Do your long-held belongings make you feel less alone? Is your fear of not having enough driving your behaviour? Once you’ve given away what you no longer need, maybe you’ll overcome that fear too?

Holding onto the good times

That two-tone satin ball gown from 1990 isn’t going to bring back the days of university parties, so why hang onto it for a moment longer? If you’re hanging on to things because they remind you of happy times, will you be able to move forward? Relinquish these attachments and release the past. Get closure. You’re not giving away your history; you’ll always have that in your heart.

How to approach the opportunity

Don’t see it as a challenge. See it as an opportunity. Take everything out of your wardrobe. I mean everything. Try things on and evaluate them with a critical eye. Imagine you were buying them. Do they flatter? Do they fit? Do they feel good?

Make three piles:
1. Keep
2. Maybe
3. Lose

Put the items to keep back in the closet. Some people like to hang them by clothing type e.g. blouses, tops, dresses etc. Others like to hang by colour (my preference). Have a play; see what you like best.

When you’ve done, you’ll be amazed how little you actually need or use. The 80:20 rule definitely applies here. Even when you’ve uncluttered, expect to wear 20% of your clothes 80% of the time.

The outcome

I promise that, although you may have a few nostalgic moments along the way, you won’t regret it. Your new uncluttered wardrobe will make your daily sartorial decisions so much easier. You’ll rediscover things you’d forgotten.

Who knows? Perhaps you’ll begin to identfiy other areas of your life that would benefit from improved simplicity; greater order and more space. So, the wardrobe edit heralds something of a life audit. Go on; dive in. The water’s lovely.

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